Three-way battle at the top of MLS’ Western Conference

After a decade of near-dominance, MLS’ Western Conference had lost a little of its aura in recent seasons. Only two of the past seven MLS Cup winners have come from the West. The Eastern Conference has been the deeper, more successful half of the national top flight.

That may be about to change. Despite the headline-grabbing exploits of Inter Miami and the on-going march of FC Cincinnati, the Western Conference looks reborn in 2024 and boasts a three-way battle for top spot. Twenty weeks into the season LAFC, Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy are tied at the top of the West with 37 points apiece.

Last weekend saw the Galaxy secure an impressive road-win against RSL, while LAFC put six goals past the San Jose Earthquakes. Here’s the big questions from the weekend’s action...

Can LA Galaxy win MLS Cup?

The biggest game of the weekend saw Real Salt Lake host LA Galaxy, two of the league’s form sides. RSL have made a red-hot start to 2024, leading the West for much of the year, while the Galaxy look reborn with the offseason additions of John Paintsil and Gabriel Pec on the flanks.

Their penetrative runs have helped facilitate the passing range of Riqui Puig but the Spanish schemer was missing on Saturday. Nonetheless they managed to get the job done against a well-drilled RSL side, thanks to a slick team move.

After a slow start Pec has now provided three goals and four assists in the last seven games, an impressive return in his debut season in the league. With the experience of Maya Yoshida and Mark Delgado in the spine of the team and a plethora of attacking options, the Galaxy could mount a real charge this season.

When will Chicho Arango return from injury?

RSL’s rise has been fuelled by the incredible form of Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango, who leads the league’s scoring charts. But the line-leading Colombian managed just 21 minutes on Saturday, before suffering a bloody gash on his face in an aerial challenge.

Arango required 15-20 stitches to his face and head coach Pablo Mastreoni admitted after the game: “Chicho, the gash was ridiculous on his head. So I’m sure he’s in a lot of pain.”

Without their talisman on the field RSL were unable to find a way through the stoic Galaxy backline, a concern with Arango suffering a serious knock. But the good news for RSL is that Arango’s injury is not expected to keep him out for long. He could be back in the team within two weeks.

Where will Olivier Giroud play for LAFC?

LAFC did not look like their usual, fluid selves in the early weeks of 2024 as the team struggled with the loss of long-time offensive lynchpin Carlos Vela. Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera thrived on the ingenuity of the Mexican’s link play but have not received the same same from either Mateusz Bogusz or Kai Kamara.

But on Saturday that seemed to change as a free-wheeling LAFC beat the Earthquakes 6-2, with goals for each of Bogusz, Bouanga and Kamara. The latter scored his 146th goal in MLS but he won’t be keeping a starting berth for very long.

Once he’s completed this summer’s international exploits with the French national team, veteran striker Olivier Giroud will join LAFC and is expected to lead the line from the start. He may not have Vela’s mobility but Giroud should be the perfect focal point striker for Bouanga to play off. The reigning Golden Boot winner took a little time to get going in 2024 but, having now scored 13 goals in MLS, he could be an outside bet to retain his scoring crown this year.